Mezcal from slow-roasted agave; Vegan franks; Chocolate shells with new flavors

Mezcal from slow-roasted agave

IZO’s collection of premium, handcrafted agave spirits has been expanded with the addition of Mezcal Joven, an oven-cooked agave.

Hand harvested from ranches in Durango, the agave is slow roasted in volcanic ovens, then fermented and distilled to produce a locally crafted product from start to finish. To ensure renewable resources for the future, the IZO distillery relies on a solar-paneled water treatment system and a bee colony to help propagate the plants, which require a decade to reach maturity.

“In my family and culture, Mezcal was always a symbol of celebration and the pure enjoyment of life,” explained company founder Gaston Martinez, in a press release. “Today, I am proud to share the clean, smooth flavor of this naturally smoked agave—part of the long-standing heritage of my beloved hometown—with the world.”

IZO Mezcal Joven can be found at liquor stores, select Costco stores, and online for a suggested retail price of $64.99.

Vegan franks with classic taste

Chicago-based Upton’s Naturals has debuted the Updog, a vegan frank that has the taste and cured flavor of traditional hot dogs but is made from wheat-gluten seitan and other plant-based ingredients.

With a texture that is neither too firm nor too soft, the Updog can be cooked on a grill or stovetop like a traditional frank. It comes seasoned with yellow mustard seed and onion powder and features an innovative, algae-based coating. In addition to delivering 19 grams of protein, along with iron and potassium, the kosher Updog is non-GM and free of cholesterol, added sugars, and artificial flavors.

Upton’s Naturals’ Updog can be found at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $5.99 for a 10-ounce package of four franks.

Chocolate shells get cracking with new flavors

Three new product launches from Magnum Ice Cream are showcasing the brand’s signature cracking chocolate shell: Non-Dairy Sea Salt Caramel Bars, Double Pistachio Honey Tubs, and Double Almond Brown Butter Tubs.

Featuring an indulgent taste, the Non-Dairy Sea Salt Caramel Bars have a creamy vanilla base made with a blend of coconut oil and pea protein that is dipped in a cracking nondairy chocolate shell.

Two new tub flavors replicate traditional dipped bars, but in a scoopable format. The Magnum Double Almond Brown Butter tub has a base of smooth almond ice cream dotted with swirls of brown butter sauce and milk chocolate shards. Magnum Double Pistachio Honey features swirls of honey and milk chocolate shards in creamy pistachio ice cream. Both flavors encase the ice cream in the company’s signature cracking milk chocolate shell.

Magnum Non-Dairy Sea Salt Caramel Bars, Magnum Double Almond Brown Butter Tubs, and Magnum Double Pistachio Honey Tubs can be found at grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.49–$5.99.